Despite a decent upbringing by devout Jewish parents, Arnold Rothstein is destined for a life of crime. A born gambler, he is always on the lookout for quick money. By the time he reaches manhood, he is well enough known in New York City to attract the attention of "Big Tim" O'Brien, a crooked politician who establishes him in a gambling house. After duping his partner, Jim Kelly, into selling his half of the business, Rothstein marries Broadway actress Carolyn Green. But domestic life has no appeal for Rothstein, and he devotes most of his time to gambling and plotting the downfall of his lifetime enemy, Phil Butler, a corrupt police official. In the end, Rothstein tricks his childhood friend, Johnny Burke, into revealing Butler's record of graft to a newspaper. Though Johnny is shot down by gunmen, Rothstein, aided by attorney Tom Fowler, succeeds in sending Butler to the chair. His underhanded and vicious tactics not only cause Carolyn to leave him, but they also arouse the wrath of the underworld. One night, while playing poker in a hotel room, Rothstein is killed by paid assassins. His last hand is the one he dreamt of all his life--a royal flush.